Portland, Oregon sits in one of the most scenic parts of the United States. Resting between towering mountains and quaint hills, the setting is unbelievable (see picture above). Since the climate is not as extreme as the rest if the northern USA, the trees are green even in the winter. This adds to the year-round charm of the city.
Portland is also one of the "greenest" cities in the USA. The city prides itself on its stewardship of the environment. With everything from recycling everywhere (including in each hotel room --- which is rare)...to bike trails throughout the city...to an amazing public transportation system (which is nice, clean, and FREE in most parts of the city), Portland is all about the environment.
When I am in Portland, I always stay downtown. Since everything is within walking distance, I never get a rental car in Portland. Even if you want to another part of the city, there is a streetcar line close by to take you there. And....as I mentioned before....a good part of the streetcar system is FREE!!! As an added bonus, the streetcars go where you actually WANT to go (unlike a lot of cities....where you still need a car to get around).
If you get a wild hair, there is a bathhouse in Portland called STEAM. Although I have never been there, I am told it is quite nice. STEAM is located just outside of downtown and you can either cab it there or find your way on the streetcars. All of the gay bars are located downtown as well....so you have everything you need close by.
If you are looking for a great gym, the 24-Hour Fitness in the Pearl District is the place I like most. It is a mix of gay and straight...and there are always a ton of hotties working out. With eye-candy everywhere and great equipment too, this is a great choice of gyms.
Speaking of the Pearl District, this part of downtown is all old 2-4 story brick warehouses that have all been converted into a uber-cool hip area to live. With stunning lofts, cool art galleries, and great restaurants, the Pearl District is a must see when in Portland.
